The Asasello Quartet is named after a demon from Mikhail Bulgakov's 1920s novel 'The Master and Margarita', who is not sympathetic or attractive, but 'knows'.
Composer Biography
After the death of his first wife Nina, death became a central theme in almost all of Shostakovich's 'Letters to a Friend' addressed to Isaak Glikman.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded at Deutschlandfunk Kammermusiksaal in Cologne, Germany, in June and August 2024.
Historical Context
Many of Shostakovich's close friends were killed by Stalinist repression, and he lived for decades with a packed suitcase, ready for his own death.
Composer Biography
Dmitri Shostakovich's father died in 1922, making the young composer responsible for his family's livelihood.
Performer Biography
The Asasello Quartet is a European ensemble with members from Russia/Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and Finland.
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